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November 11, 2002

Veterans Day

I feel a little hollow as an American male closing in on thirty, with no armed forces service record. So today on Veterans Day, all I can do is remember those who have served. My dad served in the army for 20+ years. Both of my grandpas served during World War II. Their years of sacrifice as soldiers bolstered the foundation of the American armed forces. Fortunately, they didn't face combat situations and after their service they worked out lives and careers, with families, friends and later grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Two people I want to remember especially are men I didn't know and men that didn't have a chance to have a life after being a soldier. My dad's friend at West Point Cpt Paul Sawtelle was killed in Vietnam in 1971 while serving with Airborne Rangers. He didn't get a chance to grow up past 24 years old. He doesn't have a child or wife to remember him.

My grandpa's good friend Joe Capron was lost in the South Pacific when his plane went down on a combat mission in World War II. He attended University Presbyterian Church, where this weekend I saw his picture displayed as a tribute memorial to the veterans of the church. He was my grandpa's fishing buddy. Update: Here is a picture of his panel on the World War II memorial wall in downtown Seattle:

And a close up of his name, etched in stone to remember his service and sacrifice:

Now about 60 years later, I remember Joe and 30 years later, I remember Paul. I want to remember their memorial stories so I can tell them to my daughter when she grows up. Knowing that real people her family knew 3 and 4 generations back fought for the liberty that America enjoys today will put a human face on the idea of Veterans Day, in addition to knowing that her great grandpas and her grandpa served the USA.
Thanks doesn't seem enough. So in offering my thanks I pledge my remembrance. I remember my dad and my grandpas Papa and Pa. And I remember Paul Sawtelle and Joe Capron.

Posted by clappstar at November 11, 2002 10:38 AM

Comments

Hi Jonathan --- Both Papa and I really enjoyed your Veterans Day tribute. It was great. You have a great way of expressing yourself. That was so neat of you to remember Joe Capron. We will have to tell his brother Dave about your tribute. ---- And my Dad did serve in World War I in France. I could give you other faces to put in your memory to tell Estella about. We also love the new pictures of Estella. She is a beautiful baby with a beautiful Mama and handsome Daddy. You are a very special grandson. Lots and lots of love to all three of you

Posted by: Gaba and Papa at November 15, 2002 10:25 PM

I forgot to include my great-grandpa, who was in the Great War - World War I. He served in France, I think. That was before my grandma was born. He was in the army.

Posted by: Jonathan at November 12, 2002 11:51 PM